Introduction Suicide represents an important disregarded problem of public health in Western Countries. In 1997 suicide was the second leading cause of death for younger people aged under 21 (second to car accidents) and the third cause for people aged 20-29 in Italy. Age and sex may be important risk factors together with particular social conditions, unemployment, alcoholism, drug addiction, severe physical diseases and mental disorders. Methods In order to identify suicides occurred in Verona Municipality from 1996 to 2000 there were analysed apposite survey schedules, drew-up by Public Police Officers. For each suicide we examined: temporal distribution, age, sex, marital status, profession, degree and means of committing suicide. Results In Verona Municipality 150 suicides have been registered, 63.3% in males (mean age 53, range 19-92 years) and 36.7% in females (mean age 55, range 16-84 years). Monthly suicide distribution shows highest values in the end of winter and late spring. Analysis by age shows a trend in growth with a particular increase in person aged 75 years and older. Males were always more involved than females. About marital status high rates have been observed between single men overall 35 years and older; also divorce and widowhood resulted important risk factors in males. Unemployment and retirement status are particularly risky condition. Mental disorders are involved in 52.7% with a prevalence of depressive illness. Discussion High suicide rates observed in Verona could be explained with isolation, lack of social net and meeting places in urban reality. In fact according to other researches, suicide concerns the young and elderly people, precarious social (unemployment) and psychological (mental disorders) conditions. Conclusion Adequate health promotion programs could play an important role to trace danger signs, to favour approach to health service for multidisciplinary evaluation, in order to value personal risk profiles and create prevention protocols.

Epidemiology of suicide in Verona municipality (Veneto Region): results of a retrospective study (1996-2000)

BALDO, VINCENZO
2001

Abstract

Introduction Suicide represents an important disregarded problem of public health in Western Countries. In 1997 suicide was the second leading cause of death for younger people aged under 21 (second to car accidents) and the third cause for people aged 20-29 in Italy. Age and sex may be important risk factors together with particular social conditions, unemployment, alcoholism, drug addiction, severe physical diseases and mental disorders. Methods In order to identify suicides occurred in Verona Municipality from 1996 to 2000 there were analysed apposite survey schedules, drew-up by Public Police Officers. For each suicide we examined: temporal distribution, age, sex, marital status, profession, degree and means of committing suicide. Results In Verona Municipality 150 suicides have been registered, 63.3% in males (mean age 53, range 19-92 years) and 36.7% in females (mean age 55, range 16-84 years). Monthly suicide distribution shows highest values in the end of winter and late spring. Analysis by age shows a trend in growth with a particular increase in person aged 75 years and older. Males were always more involved than females. About marital status high rates have been observed between single men overall 35 years and older; also divorce and widowhood resulted important risk factors in males. Unemployment and retirement status are particularly risky condition. Mental disorders are involved in 52.7% with a prevalence of depressive illness. Discussion High suicide rates observed in Verona could be explained with isolation, lack of social net and meeting places in urban reality. In fact according to other researches, suicide concerns the young and elderly people, precarious social (unemployment) and psychological (mental disorders) conditions. Conclusion Adequate health promotion programs could play an important role to trace danger signs, to favour approach to health service for multidisciplinary evaluation, in order to value personal risk profiles and create prevention protocols.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/1331185
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